Aero Friedrichshafen 2018-A unique network of supply and demand
AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe's most important trade fair for general aviation took place from 18 to 21 April 2018 in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. Based at Friedrichshafen Airport in one of the world's most modern exhibition grounds more than 630 exhibitors from 38 countries this year were present whilst more than 33,000 visitors, 63% of them with a pilot license visited the premier global show for general aviation.
Considering that more than 200 000 conventional, ultralight and glider aircraft are registered in the territory of the European Union alone it is little wonder that general aviation is the focus at AERO Friedrichshafen. In Germany in 2017, for example, there were a total of 6 527 single-engine aircraft under two tonnes, 3 528 motor gliders, 4 133 ultralights and 594 ultra-light autogyros. So it is no surprise that one will not find military, charter or airliners at Friedrichshafen.
On display in the capacious halls and apron were gliders over 120 kg, light ULs to the VLA class, gyrocopters and helicopters and single-engine aeroplanes to twin-engine turboprops to exclusive business jets.
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Amongst the exhibitors at AERO Friedrichshafen 2018 were:
Sonaca 200
South African visitors will no doubt have recognised the Sonaca. Based on the Sling it is now marketed and manufactured by Sonaca Aircraft. Sonaca started 2018 with the closure of the flight test program and getting the DOA ( Design Organisation Approval ) from EASA. The Start of assembly of the first models of the Sonaca 200 will commence soon.
Breezer Sport
Breezer Aircraft has launched a parallel development to the B400 / B600 series with the focus on speed. The result is the Breezer Sport, a completely new ultralight aircraft of the 600kg class with technically different approaches, but the same design harmony. A special focus is the retractable landing gear. The sport is available in either the Rotax engines 912 ULS, IS or 915 IS.
Bristell TDO
The Bristell TDO version has a two-wheel fixed gear undercarriage with tail wheel - an ideal aeroplane for enthusiasts. Thanks to the combined comfort of good ergonomic design in the largest cockpit in its category, the TDO is the ideal vehicle for fun and for long cross-country flights.
Pelegrin Tarragon
The Pelegrin Tarragon, intended to be supplied complete and ready-to-fly, is a Latvian ultralight developed by Pelegrin Limited. The Tarragon was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, an enclosed cockpit with two-seats-in-tandem under a bubble canopy, retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The Tarragon's airframe is made from pre-preg carbon fibre composites. Standard engines available are the 100 hp (75 kW) EPA Power SA-R917TNi ULM, the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and Rotax 912iS, the turbocharged 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 and the 130 hp (97 kW) EPA Power SA917Ti Turbo Injection four-stroke power plants.
Carbon Design Vampire
The FM250 Vampire is a modern two-seat plane that is of high quality, safe and reliable due to its precision design. It offers the crew comfort and elegant design that is hand in hand with its excellent flight properties and easy controllability. Due to its excellent properties and performances, it is an ideal choice for tourist and recreational flights, pilot training and also towing gliders with a weight of up to 750 kg.
JM Corsair
Billed as "120 kg of high performance" the JM Corsair is a newly developed LSA complying with the German LTF-L regulations as well as the British SSDR, the Italian, French, Czech, Polish and even the US American FAR part 103 regulation. For the later the empty weight, MTOW and speeds are slightly reduced. A maximum speed, where the national regulation does not limit this, beyond 200km/h and a safe loading up to +6 and -4g are the result of its innovative lightweight structure. The only drawback is that it is still under development and complete aircraft will only be available from mid-2018. However kits are already available.
Sport Cruiser
The current production of the company comprises the PS-28 Cruiser and the SportCruiser aircraft. Both types are double-seat, all-metal aircraft, arranged as low-wing monoplanes with cantilevered wings and conventional empennage. The PS-28 Cruiser and the SportCruiser are essentially differentiated in terms of their certification basis and thus market application. The SportCruiser and PS-28 Cruiser aircraft are successfully operated in more than 30 countries all around the world with more than 600 units produced.
Magni Gyro
The Italian company par excellence has for 50 years produced a range of autogyro known worldwide for safety, reliability, stability and high quality standards.
Comco Icarus C42
The Ikarus C42 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear, general aviation microlight aircraft, manufactured in Germany by Comco Ikarus. It is used primarily for flight training, touring and personal flying. The C42 is manufactured with either an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 engine or a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912s engine. The C42 of which more than 1450 units delivered worldwide - the bestselling ultra-light aircraft in Germany.
JMB Evolution VL3
JMB Aircraft is the production company of the VL3, a plane designed by Vanessa Air and produced in the past by Aveko. The VL3 is an ultralight, aerodynamically directed, single-engine, low-wing airplane of classic design with fore-type retractable or fixed landing gear and with two pilot seats next to each other. The VL3 is available with two different engines: the Rotax 912 and the Rotax 914.
TAF Flamingo
The Flamingo is a high performance advance aircraft with the latest technology built into its design. It is easy to fly, allows basic acrobatics with loads up to+6/-3 G. Flying speed is up to 300 km/h at cruise, with low operation and maintenance costs, making it an ideal basic tandem trainer. Canopy position provides amazing outside visibility in all phases of flight.
JK-05L Junior
PHU is a Polish aircraft manufacturer based in Korczyna with its factory in Krosno. The company was formed in 1995 and specializes in the design and manufacture of ultralight aircraft in the form of kits for amateur construction and ready-to-fly aircraft for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight and the American light-sport aircraft categories. The company produces the Jerzy Krawczyk-designed Ekolot JK 01A Elf motor glider and two ultralight aircraft, the strut-braced Ekolot JK-05L Junior and the cantilever-wing Ekolot KR-030 Topaz. The Topaz has been accepted by the US Federal Aviation Administration as a light-sport aircraft.
In general aviation, the development of quiet and environmentally friendly electric aircraft is progressing at an ever faster pace. Electrically powered aircraft are already being built in series. As part of an e-flight demonstration, some machines were presented in the sky above the airport.
Efusion
The Magnus Aircraft 'eFusion' is a new propeller aircraft from Hungary, which is powered by a Siemens eAircraft electric motor and also powered by batteries of the German electrical company. With the machine two pilots can travel, but it is also aerobatic. A few days before the start of the exhibition, the e-flight 'eFusion' from Siemens eAircraft and Magnus Aircraft was completed with the brand new Siemens hybrid drive, powered by a combination of an electric and Smart Ecofly diesel engine. The new hybrid aircraft was the focus of the AERO kick-off as a world premiere.
Skyleader 400
An electric motor also powers the ultralight Skyleader 400 of the Czech aircraft manufacturer Jihlavan Aeroplanes. The 400 can fly at speeds of over 200 km / h. The two-seater electric low-wing aircraft flew in the sky above Friedrichshafen.
Innovative aircraft engines, propellers, avionics, maintenance, services and pilot accessories completed the range of AERO 2018 offerings.
